MANSFIELD — Captain Bret Snavely might already have his official retirement party scheduled, but Mansfield City Council wanted the chance to thank him for his decades of service, too.

Council on Tuesday night recognized Snavely, 56, who officially retires Friday after 34 years in law enforcement, including 24 years with the Mansfield Police Department.

"The challenges is why we get into the business, is because you go down and put the uniform on and go out and get in the cruiser, and you have absolutely no idea what your day is gonna bring. I mean that, to me, is, was the attractive part to this career," he said. "I couldn't see myself, you know, working in a factory or doing something, I don't like the mundane, and this job has certainly not been mundane or boring in any way."

A Bellville native, Snavely graduated from Clear Fork in 1980.

Snavely, 56, began his law enforcement career in January 1984 as a deputy sheriff with the Richland County Sheriff's Office.

He was assigned to METRICH in 1991 and joined the Mansfield Police Department in May 1994.

Snavely was promoted to sergeant in October 2005, to lieutenant in August 2012 and to captain in April 2014.

Snavely, who served as the commander of the Community Services Bureau, was a field training officer, FTO unit commander, firearms instructor, armorer and member of the department's Honor Guard since its inception throughout his career.

He also previously served in the Community Services Bureau's patrol section and community policing section.

"His wisdom and knowledge is just almost unmatched within the police department," he said. "He always makes very sound and calm decisions."

Coontz used words like "integrity" and discipline" to describe Snavely.

"He expects people to do what is right. There's no gray area with Bret. You know where you stand," he said. "You can't ask for a more powerful leader or a person with more integrity to be in this position to kind of lead other people."

Capt. Bret Snavely(Photo11: Submitted)

Assistant Chief Keith Porch said Tuesday that Snavely, at that time a sergeant, trained him when he was also promoted to sergeant.

"He took me under his wing and trained me in the aspect of supervision, so it's a part that I'll never forget, working with Bret," he said.

Porch also spoke of Snavely's calm demeanor in tense situations.

"He was always calm and made level-headed decisions when things were looking real bad, and that's easier said than done," he said. "When things go bad and times get hard and everybody's falling apart around you, Bret was able to make level-headed decisions. And I know the chief and I both slept great at night knowing that the patrol bureau was being commanded by Bret Snavely."

Porch said it will not be easy to replace Snavely.

"Thirty-four years, that's a lot of experience, and they're gonna be hard shoes to fill within that patrol bureau," he said.

Several council members thanked Snavely for his service.

Third-ward councilman Jon Van Harlingen said Snavely has always been approachable and compassionate with the public.

"You always demanded the greatest respect and integrity, not only from your peers but those around you," he said.

Sixth-ward councilwoman Garnetta Pender said she first met Snavely 20 to 25 years ago.

"You've always shown the respect for others, and you always had compassion for others, and I really appreciate that," she said. "You haven't changed over the 25 years."

Anyone who wants to wish Snavely well can attend his retirement reception Friday at 1:30 p.m. in Mansfield City Council chambers, 30 N. Diamond St., third floor.

Snavely left some words of advice for his fellow police officers, whom he called "absolutely fantastic men and women" who "really do care about trying to make this community a better place."

"Just do the right thing," he said. "And you've got nothing to worry about."